Making sure all Ohio drivers belong on road

March 6, 2012

Investigators are trying to determine why 69-year-old Winifred D. Lein was driving the wrong way on Interstate 75 just north of Bowling Green, Ohio, last Friday morning. They may never know. She was killed when her car slammed head-on into another vehicle.

Three young women in that car, Bowling Green State University students headed to the airport for a spring break trip, also died.

Police said Lein had driven the wrong way on I-75 for at least seven miles. She had passed several cars, some of which had to swerve to avoid collisions. At the time of the crash, a state trooper with his siren and emergency lights activated was pursuing her.

Obviously, something was terribly wrong.

The accident should prompt officials in both Ohio to take new looks at state driver's license requirements. The question of whether adequate safeguards are in place to deny licenses to those who may be impaired substantially - for any reason - should be asked.

Some of us know people who, for health reasons that may involve age, should not be driving motor vehicles.

Many senior citizens react angrily to questions about their ability to drive safely. But those questions need to be asked - and those who pose a danger to themselves and others should not be allowed to drive.